Becky Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 I bought my MH this spring and have spent many lovely days away(regardless of the weather), mainly with the Photogroup of Camping & Caravanning Club. But I want to explore the Lake District and have been told that the roads are really too narrow for a Motorhome. If this is true, what is the feeling on towing a small car? Anyone do this? If not, any recommended campsites near photogenic locations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVAN Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Becky I have only travelled once around the lakes area, but quite extensively. Although some of the roads are narrow there was never a time when i had to reverse or had any major problems. There was only one site that was very difficult to access with our coachbuilt motorhome and that was over a very narrow bridge over which i had to fold the mirrors in or risk losing them(the site name escapes me as does the other sites we stayed on) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo3090 Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 If you look ing MMM magazine you should find site reports that will help. Your CC&C site book will also give you help planning on where to go and any problems with access. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 It depends to a large degree on A, your driving ability, B your confidence and C your common sense! Unless you have huge amounts of A and B - don't go down roads with a 6'6" width limit unless you are very brave and/or know the road! Be wary of roads with a 6'6" width limit 'except for access' as it often means there is room for larger vehicles - up to a point - but it can be a bit tight in places or they just plain want to frighten or discourage us all from entry! If you are not yet fully aware of what you and your van can do you could do worse than find an empty car park close to home and just practise getting all four wheels accurately in and out of empty parking bays both forwards and backwards. As most parking bays are too small for a motorhome this might give you more of an idea where the corners of your van are. You could also do worse than finding a quiet road (on an industrial estate on a Sunday for example) and practise reversing both in a straight line and round bends and corners just using the outside mirrors for guidance. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John.N Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 I thought that most motorhomes exceeded 6'6" in width. The only 'no-go' road that I have encountered is Honister Pass but I am sure that there must be many others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Biggest vehicle I've driven around lakes is my T25 which is quite a bit smaller than your van. Strikes me there are couple of things to consider, generaly your van should be ok on it's own but main problem can be other traffic, a lot of the passing places people use would be very tight for your van and many car drivers seem not to care or understand that a van needs more room, so I would try to avoid busy times and even then be 'chilled out' enough not to get hassled, also there are some long steep deccents so you need to take care not to overheat brakes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Becky, I would suggest going to the Keswick Cand C Club site. It is open until 24th.November and is on the shores of Derwenidioter with excellent photo opportunities! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Shores of Derwent water is what I meant. !! Doesn't seem to want to be sent as one word for some reason.Only had one beer so far, obviously need more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Becky Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 Thank you everyone. I have covered over 2500 miles this 'summer' and have managed to get into carparks, although it is easier sometimes to bag 2 spaces (lol) Being left hand drive, I can negotiate narrow roads fairly easily, and certainly wouldn't attempt 6 foot wide tracks. The backing camera helps me in reverse, so I have managed to turn round when I get lost. Which does happen as my satnav isn't always accurate & I do rather rely on it as I am on my own; well there is the spaniel but she is a hopeless map reader. Must admit to quite fancying a little car + trailer behind though :-> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syd Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Dragged our 8ft wide caravan all over the lake district and never had any problem. We have found that MOST other road users to be very helpful indeed in so much as one particular person reversed some 250 yards to let us through. Don't fret about the roads, its the other people, and they are usually ok. We found it to be less of a problem than you might think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverbike Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 It seems to me you should be able to get out of difficulties yourself. Yes, it's nice when people help but what would you have done if the other car had also had a caravan? Irresistible force meets immovable object! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 John.N - 2008-09-01 8:08 PM I thought that most motorhomes exceeded 6'6" in width. The only 'no-go' road that I have encountered is Honister Pass but I am sure that there must be many others. We lived in Cumbria (just outside the Lakes) for 10 years when the kids were younger. We had a 4-berth Glendale coachbuilt, 7ft wide but not too long, and took that ove rHonister Pass once. Wouldn't make a habit of it though. Go and enjoy yourself Becky, it's a wonderful area - and not just the actual Nat Park area either. Take a trundle up or down the west coast while you're there. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Sorry, pressed "Submit" twice. I'm not usually so submissive :D :D !! Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Not a massive problem getting around most places but if you want to take the strain off and visit places for the day the Mountain Goat minibus still runs in September. Have fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syd Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 silverbike - 2008-09-02 9:08 AM It seems to me you should be able to get out of difficulties yourself. Yes, it's nice when people help but what would you have done if the other car had also had a caravan? Irresistible force meets immovable object! Hi Silverbike Believe it or not I am a natural at reversing our caravan so maybe I am just one of lifes lucky ones but I take your point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROON Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 I love the Lake District but my satnav really put me in a bummer of a position this year... It took me to a place where I was in the narrowest of narrow lanes and came to a t junction which led to another one car width road. I couldn't turn left OR right into it and couldn't reverse either... It took me about 45 minutes to get out of the spot I was in and am eternally grateful to the local who helped me. Advice: if using your satnav ... ignore it and go off your own instincts if you think it is leading you up a garden path ... literally! :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 I lost my R/h mirror to a 'white van man' in a hurry in the lake district, I had stopped over to the left with my l/h mirror in the bushes,but he 'ploughed on' without lfting his foot from the throttle or moving over.My only consolation was his mirror got smashed too.(he probably didn't have to pay for his). My m/h isn't extra wide either. Just be ready for whatever you might meet around the next bend.(it's not that bad....honest) :D :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Rayjsj - 2008-09-02 11:55 PM I lost my R/h mirror to a 'white van man' in a hurry in the lake district, I had stopped over to the left with my l/h mirror in the bushes,but he 'ploughed on' without lfting his foot from the throttle or moving over.My only consolation was his mirror got smashed too.(he probably didn't have to pay for his). My m/h isn't extra wide either. Just be ready for whatever you might meet around the next bend.(it's not that bad....honest) :D :D I had identical experience with my old Bedford Glendale on the road between Broughton and Coniston about 15 years ago. wonder if it was the same WVM? Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE SHEPHERD Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 I dont know how big your MH is, but Ive used a Auto Sleeper Polensa up there for years, Beware Watendlath as it is a bit narrow but you could allways walk over from Rosthwaite, a basic site with great views, Chapel Farm Borrowdale, lovely when the snows on the tops, enjoy. The Shepherd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Its entirely down to your competance and confidence. Coach drivers do it every day! C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horse444 Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 *-) we often go to the lake district, with our dakota and a double wheel trailer for our ford car, we have never had any problems, its just as Clive says, Place full of Coaches with tourist, and no problem, enjoy (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Becky - 2008-09-01 7:24 PM I bought my MH this spring and have spent many lovely days away(regardless of the weather), mainly with the Photogroup of Camping & Caravanning Club. But I want to explore the Lake District and have been told that the roads are really too narrow for a Motorhome. If this is true, what is the feeling on towing a small car? Anyone do this? If not, any recommended campsites near photogenic locations? I know a lot of people tow cars and, of course it is up to the individual, but no one has ever given a good reason for it. To me it is totally illogical and if you feel you need a car to get around you would be far better of to sell the m/h and buy a caravan. Most manage by using common sense and carrying a bike or a small scooter. As others have said you will not have problems in the lakes if you avoid the very obvious to narrow lanes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Becky - 2008-09-01 7:24 PM I bought my MH this spring and have spent many lovely days away(regardless of the weather), mainly with the Photogroup of Camping & Caravanning Club. But I want to explore the Lake District and have been told that the roads are really too narrow for a Motorhome. If this is true, what is the feeling on towing a small car? Anyone do this? If not, any recommended campsites near photogenic locations? I know a lot of people tow cars and, of course it is up to the individual, but no one has ever given a good reason for it. To me it is totally illogical and if you feel you need a car to get around you would be far better of to sell the m/h and buy a caravan. Most manage by using common sense and carrying a bike or a small scooter. As others have said you will not have problems in the lakes if you avoid the very obvious to narrow lanes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horse444 Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hi Rupert, I will give you our reason for having a motorhome and not a caravan and towing a car, I AM DISABLED, having back and leg problems, I cannot walk a great distance and most sites as you know are rural, I also require to get up and strech legs at least every hour, and certainly couldnt do this towing a caravan. not every-one tows a car just for the fun of it, most have needs, or they wouldnt do it, ie, increase in ferry charges, fuel consumption etc. (lol) live is for living and enjoying no matter what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 horse444 - 2008-10-01 3:40 PM Hi Rupert, I will give you our reason for having a motorhome and not a caravan and towing a car, I AM DISABLED, having back and leg problems, I cannot walk a great distance and most sites as you know are rural, I also require to get up and strech legs at least every hour, and certainly couldnt do this towing a caravan. not every-one tows a car just for the fun of it, most have needs, or they wouldnt do it, ie, increase in ferry charges, fuel consumption etc. (lol) live is for living and enjoying no matter what. No sorry still do not see a reason, unless you get up and stretch your legs on the move, hope not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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